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Ashley Cole's life and crimes: should we forget his mistakes and just celebrate the football?

Heading for 100 caps having been one of the best left-backs in the world for a decade, Ashley Cole should be universally lauded. Except he isn't, thanks to the trail of controversy he's left over the years. His latest headline-grabbing act was to accuse the FA of being a "BUNCHOFTW***". Having issued an apology, Cole then retweeted a criticism of the authorities for failing to take action following an unsavoury Alan Shearer incident dating back some 14 years.

Here's a reminder of exactly why Cole remains a divisive figure among fans.

June 2005 - On tap
Still an Arsenal player, Cole was fined £100,000 by the FA for meeting Chelsea with a view to negotiating a transfer without the Gunners' permission. The charges failed to deter Chelsea from signing their man, as Cole eventually moved over to West London on deadline day, August 2006.

September 2006 - Poor Ashley
Shortly after joining Chelsea, Cole launched a stinging attack on Arsenal for refusing to meet his wage demands. Released as an excerpt from his autobiography, My Defence, Cole recalled the moment his agent, Jonathan Barnett revealed that Arsenal were 'only' willing to pay him £55,000 a week, rather than his desired £60,000 salary. "When I heard Jonathan repeat the figure of £55,000,' wrote Ashley, "I nearly swerved off the road. 'He is taking the piss Jonathan!' I yelled down the phone. I was so incensed. I was trembling with anger. I couldn't believe what I'd heard."

January 2008 - Sick to his stomach
Hairdresser Aimee Walton was one of three women to release details of alleged nights of wild romping with Cole, explaining: "It was a big mistake. I feel so sorry for Cheryl [Cole, Ashley's then wife]." Ashley was accused of telling Walton that his wife accepted his infidelity as long as it remained private and suggested that the hairdresser should have been honoured to have him in her mate's car, even when he was vomiting.

March 2009 - Fine by Ashley
Cole was arrested following a foul-mouthed tirade at a photographer outside a West London nightclub. The defender was also accused of repeatedly swearing at police officers, before getting banged up for a few hours to sober up, along with an £80 fine. A slap on the wrist from Chelsea followed soon afterwards.

January 2010 - In the zone
Cole was nowhere to be seen as he received a four-month ban from driving and a £1,000 fine after being clocked doing more than 100mph in a 50mph zone. The millionaire defender asked for 21 days to pay his fine after his claim that paparazzi had been chasing him failed to stand up in court.

February 2010 - The camera doesn't lie, or does it?
Topless model Sonia Wild accused Cole of sending her naughty photos of himself and pestering her to meet up with him, even suggesting he'd asked her to dash across the Atlantic to America while Chelsea were on tour for a secret meeting. Cole denied it, claiming that someone else had borrowed his phone and sent the photos.

August 2010 - You've got to hand it to him
Cole made headlines for the wrong reasons again after apparently snubbing England boss Fabio Capello's handshake, following Chelsea's Community Shield defeat against Man United at Wembley.

February 2011 - Good shot, sir!
After bringing an air rifle to Chelsea training, Cole accidentally shot a work experience student from close range.

Do you think Ashley Cole should be celebrated more for his football ability? Let us know by leaving a comment below...